Chicago middle linebacker Brian Urlacher watches from the sideline during the second half of their Oct. 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

The reality of Brian Urlacher no longer being a Bear hit home Tuesday, April 2, the first day players were allowed at Halas Hall for offseason conditioning work.

“I just have a lot of love for him,” defensive tackle Henry Melton said. “He’s a Hall of Famer and all that. It’s just different because he’s a big locker-room guy, a big leadership guy. … Today was just different.”

Even Bears Chairman George McCaskey acknowledged he was shaken by the prospect of moving forward without Urlacher.

“I said going into the process I’d be heartbroken if he didn’t come back and I am,” McCaskey said Tuesday at the Ed Block Courage Award luncheon at Maryville Academy. “Our whole family is. Brian just has been the face of the franchise, an outstanding Bear on and off the field. But we knew going into it that it was a possibility that it might be this result.”

Asked if there was any chance Urlacher still could return, McCaskey said: “That’s up to the market and (general manager Phil Emery) and (coach) Marc (Trestman). Phil said it’s a process. We’ll just go through it and see what happens.”

When a reporter asked if McCaskey was not ruling out a return, he said, “That’s not up to me. Bears fans should be assured I don’t involve myself in personnel decisions.”

McCaskey said he spoke with Urlacher recently.

“He was very gracious,” he said. “I wanted to wait a little bit because I figured there would be emotion. Brian knows how we feel about him.”

Melton noted that the locker room had a different feel not only because of Urlacher, but also because of Israel Idonije’s absence. Idonije also is a free agent who has yet to sign with a team.

“Those are our two biggest locker-room jokers,” Melton said of Urlacher and Idonije. “We usually got entertainment off of them joking around with each other. It made things different, that’s for sure, but there were a lot of different things going on today.”

Webb speaks

It has been a turbulent offseason for J’Marcus Webb, who was arrested for possession of marijuana in downstate Illinois (charges subsequently were dropped) in February and was moved to right tackle from left after the Bears signed Jermon Bushrod.

He addressed both issues Tuesday.

Of the arrest, he said, “It has been all cleared up. I’m young. You make some mistakes sometimes. I’m pretty sure you guys have made some mistakes. You don’t look down on it. You move forward and put things in a positive manner. I’m ready to be back here in Chicago and ready to get to work.”

Of the position switch, he said, “Things happen. You can’t control a few things. It will be a great move. I can play right tackle. You guys have seen it. I can move my hands a little bit. It should be fun. … In this league you have to be versatile.”

Toeaina cut

As expected, the Bears released defensive tackle Matt Toeaina.

Toeaina announced the news via his Twitter account, writing: “Thank you to the @chicagobears organization for the opportunity. Bear fans have a lot to be excited about. God Bless! #Beardown and out #75.”

Toeaina played in only three games last season and had knee surgery after the season.

The Bears also waived guard Nick Pieschel.

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